Published: Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 10:31 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 11:08 p.m.

PORT ORANGE— A pair of hawks nesting outside the city's library may have found a way to co-exist with humans after the birds attacked six people.

It's been more than a week since the pair of red-shouldered hawks dive-bombed patrons at the Port Orange Regional Library, using their sharp talons as weapons. The hawks became aggressive while trying to defend their chicks from anything deemed a threat, bird experts said. While their aggressive behavior is not unusual, the location of the nest in a well-traveled area is.

Three of the six people attacked, including a library employee, were injured after suffering scratches and trauma to their heads. One person sought medical treatment at an urgent care center and received a tetanus shot, county spokesman Dave Byron said.

Because the birds are a federally protected species, a permit is required for their removal. The county is not considering applying for a permit, but that could change if the birds attack more people, Byron said. The birds are expected to leave the nest in about two weeks when their babies are old enough to fly.

“We don't feel like applying for a permit is necessary at this time,” Byron said. “We want to do the right thing for the environment, and we don't feel like the problem warrants a permit right now. If more people got injured we might move in a different direction.”

Several large signs warning patrons of the hawks remain in the parking lot, and county officials are still advising citizens to use umbrellas to shield themselves from a possible attack. Patrons can also request an umbrella escort as they cross the parking lot.

Several bird enthusiasts, a few with umbrellas, came Thursday to get a glimpse of the two hawks feeding what appeared to be three chicks. A library security guard watched over the parking lot, but the hawks seemed unconcerned with the humans below.

Wearing a wide-brimmed hat for protection, Ponce Inlet resident Jack Eichenberg took advantage of the opportunity to see hawks close up. He learned about the birds last week while returning library books and came Thursday with his camera.

“The babies grow so fast so I figured I'd try to come by and see them before they are gone,” he said. “I think there is so much traffic here that they have gotten more comfortable around humans.”

Barbara Northrup, a Port Orange resident who tutors children at the library, used an umbrella as she crossed the parking lot. She said she enjoyed admiring the birds but didn't want to take any chances.

“I saw one of the hawks while getting out of my car and the thought of getting smacked by one of their talons isn't comforting,” she said.

The hawks are just one of many wildlife hiccups that have occurred in Port Orange recently. The discovery of a gopher tortoise during major renovations at the Spruce Creek baseball field in December delayed construction for 60 days so that the tortoise, a federally protected species, could be relocated. A pair of ospreys, which are also federally protected, are nesting on top of a light post at the ball field. The light post has been replaced as part of the renovations, but the city will not be able to remove the older one until the ospreys leave the nest, which could be as late as June.

“The birds and the natural activity at City Center is a part of the ambiance here,” City Manager Greg Kisela said. “Unfortunately with the hawk, her nest got too close to human activity.”

<p>PORT ORANGE— A pair of hawks nesting outside the city's library may have found a way to co-exist with humans after the birds attacked six people. </p><p>It's been more than a week since the pair of red-shouldered hawks dive-bombed patrons at the Port Orange Regional Library, using their sharp talons as weapons. The hawks became aggressive while trying to defend their chicks from anything deemed a threat, bird experts said. While their aggressive behavior is not unusual, the location of the nest in a well-traveled area is. </p><p>Three of the six people attacked, including a library employee, were injured after suffering scratches and trauma to their heads. One person sought medical treatment at an urgent care center and received a tetanus shot, county spokesman Dave Byron said.</p><p>Because the birds are a federally protected species, a permit is required for their removal. The county is not considering applying for a permit, but that could change if the birds attack more people, Byron said. The birds are expected to leave the nest in about two weeks when their babies are old enough to fly. </p><p>“We don't feel like applying for a permit is necessary at this time,” Byron said. “We want to do the right thing for the environment, and we don't feel like the problem warrants a permit right now. If more people got injured we might move in a different direction.” </p><p>Several large signs warning patrons of the hawks remain in the parking lot, and county officials are still advising citizens to use umbrellas to shield themselves from a possible attack. Patrons can also request an umbrella escort as they cross the parking lot. </p><p>Several bird enthusiasts, a few with umbrellas, came Thursday to get a glimpse of the two hawks feeding what appeared to be three chicks. A library security guard watched over the parking lot, but the hawks seemed unconcerned with the humans below. </p><p>Wearing a wide-brimmed hat for protection, Ponce Inlet resident Jack Eichenberg took advantage of the opportunity to see hawks close up. He learned about the birds last week while returning library books and came Thursday with his camera. </p><p>“The babies grow so fast so I figured I'd try to come by and see them before they are gone,” he said. “I think there is so much traffic here that they have gotten more comfortable around humans.” </p><p>Barbara Northrup, a Port Orange resident who tutors children at the library, used an umbrella as she crossed the parking lot. She said she enjoyed admiring the birds but didn't want to take any chances. </p><p>“I saw one of the hawks while getting out of my car and the thought of getting smacked by one of their talons isn't comforting,” she said. </p><p>The hawks are just one of many wildlife hiccups that have occurred in Port Orange recently. The discovery of a gopher tortoise during major renovations at the Spruce Creek baseball field in December delayed construction for 60 days so that the tortoise, a federally protected species, could be relocated. A pair of ospreys, which are also federally protected, are nesting on top of a light post at the ball field. The light post has been replaced as part of the renovations, but the city will not be able to remove the older one until the ospreys leave the nest, which could be as late as June. </p><p>“The birds and the natural activity at City Center is a part of the ambiance here,” City Manager Greg Kisela said. “Unfortunately with the hawk, her nest got too close to human activity.”</p><br>